RIAA Report: Streaming Revenue Surpasses $1 Billion

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RIAA has issued its semi-annual report on U.S. music business sales, shipments and revenues through the first half of the year.

According to the report:

During 1H, revenues from music streaming services surpassed $1 billion for the first time, growing 23 percent in 2015 to $1.03 billion, up from $834 million for 1H 2014.

Revenues from permanent digital downloads (including albums, single tracks, videos, and kiosk sales) declined 4 percent to $1.3 billion for the first half of 2015.

Total value of shipments in physical formats was $748 million, down 17 percent versus 1H 2014.

RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman commented, “The data continues to reflect the story of a business undergoing an enormous transition. There are many positive signs: continuing the trend from 2014, wholesale revenues for the first half of 2015 increased. And revenues from streaming music services continue to grow at a healthy double digit rate. The product of music and the extraordinary roster of artists represented by today’s music labels remains in high demand. That is the bedrock of a successful future.

“At the same time, intense demand and billions of streams does not always equal fair market rates or a fair playing field. Addressing that is an essential element of fulfilling the enormous promise of today’s digital marketplace.”

Click to download the report.

Click to see the report.

Artist Updates: Dierks Bentley, Steven Tyler, The Cadillac Three, Darius Rucker

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Dierks Bentley Commissions “Riser” Necklace

Dierks Bentley commissioned a limited edition “Riser” necklace available now on Dierks.com and at Nashville’s White’s Mercantile for $79. All proceeds of the handcrafted 18” gold-chain with a hand-stamped charm design will benefit Bentley’s 10th Annual “Miles & Music For Kids.”

The one-of-a-kind accessory brings the story full-circle, including Bentley’s inspired message that first launched the project: “We are on a journey. The endless cycle of life, love, loss, faith, freedom, and family. We learn from our past to define our future. Everyone has a defining moment in their life, a breakthrough moment, it’s the moment when you choose to be a riser.”

 

Steven Tyler Joins The Cadillac Three During Nashville Show

Nashville natives The Cadillac Three rallied Saturday night at The Cannery Ballroom, where they were joined by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler for a rendition of “Sweet Emotion.” The iconic songwriter and prolific singer, who was introduced as the reason TC3 wanted to be musicians, proved the admiration was mutual when he revealed a shirt announcing he was the newest member of The Cadillac 4. 

The Cadillac Three is made of Music City born and bred Jaren Johnston (Guitar & Lead Vocals), Neil Mason (Drums, Percussion & Vocals) and Kelby Ray (Bass Steel Guitar, Dobro, Acoustic & Vocals).

Pictured (L-R): Steven Tyler and Jaren Johnston share vocals on “Sweet Emotion." Photo: Jessica Wardwell

Pictured (L-R): Steven Tyler and Jaren Johnston share vocals on “Sweet Emotion.” Photo: Jessica Wardwell

 

Darius Rucker Teams With Uber On ‘Southern Style Tour’

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker. Photo: Jim Wright

Darius Rucker will parter with rideshare app Uber for select dates on his Southern Style Tour, giving fans the chance to win free rides as well as VIP packages for the fall leg of the tour, beginning next month.

A few lucky riders in cities across the United States will win VIP packages for a Southern Style Tour stop which include two tickets to the show, an exclusive Darius Rucker pre-show acoustic performance, and invitation to a pre-show party in the VIP Party Lounge. Fans can enter the promo code SOUTHERNSTYLE to enter to win, and receive $20 off their first ride as well as a free download of Darius’ latest album, Southern Style, featuring his latest No. 1 hit single, “Homegrown Honey.”

The Southern Style Tour launches Oct. 8 in Chicago.

 

Ashley Monroe To Hit Nashville on ‘The Blade Tour’

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Ashley Monroe tributes Vince Gill in 2014. Photo: John Russell/BMI

Ashley Monroe tributes Vince Gill in 2014. Photo: John Russell/BMI

Ashley Monroe has announced a multi-city U.S. outing, titled The Blade Tour. Set to begin Oct. 1 in Georgia, the 13-date outing will include stops in New York on Oct. 27 and Nashville’s City Winery on Nov. 20.

The Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville star has been showcasing her album, The Blade, to fans across the country on select dates with Little Big Town in addition to continued dates with Rascal Flatts and Miranda Lambert.

The Blade has now been made available in vinyl. An additional vinyl will be available from an album pre-release “live-to-acetate party” at Third Man Records. A limited edition vinyl of that performance will be available coming soon.

The Blade Tour (US Dates):
Oct 1 – Macon, GA – Cox Capitol Theatre
Oct 8 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre
Oct 9 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
Oct 10 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
Oct 27 – New York City – Bowery Ballroom
Oct 29 – Washington DC – Sixth and I
Oct 30 – Wilmington, DE – World Cafe Live
Nov 13 – Springfield, IL – Boondocks
Nov 14 – Chicago, IL – SPACE
Nov 18 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
Nov 19 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
Nov 20 – Nashville, TN – City Winery
Nov 21 – Birmingham, AL – Workplay Theatre

Major Bob Music Inks Deal With Vanderheym

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Pictured (L-R, front row): Major Bob's Bob Doyle, Vanderheym, and Major Bob's Jesse Frasure. (L-R, back row): Almon & McPike's Noah McPike, Major Bob's Tina Crawford, ASCAP's Beth Brinker, and Major Bob's Chandler Thurston)

Pictured (L-R, front row): Major Bob’s Bob Doyle, Vanderheym, and Major Bob’s Jesse Frasure. (L-R, back row): Almon & McPike’s Noah McPike, Major Bob’s Tina Crawford, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, and Major Bob’s Chandler Thurston)

Major Bob Music has signed multi-genre songwriter/producer Alysa Vanderheym to an exclusive worldwide songwriting deal. Born and raised in Marin County, Calif, she relocated to Nashville in 2012 to earn her BA in Songwriting from Belmont University.

“We are thrilled to have Alysa join the team. We knew quickly upon hearing her solo writing and production that she had a unique style and approach as a writer. She fits perfectly into our diverse multi genre background and we are happy to help build her brand” says Jesse Frasure, VP Of Major Bob Music.

War Memorial Auditorium Turns 90 Today

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war memorial auditorium 1The War Memorial Auditorium is celebrating its 90th birthday today. The building was dedicated as a monument to the thousands of Tennesseans who fought and died in World War I on Sept. 21, 1925.

To mark the anniversary, a historical marker is planned for the corner of 7th Avenue and Union Street. The marker highlights the building’s creation, the gilded bronze statue of Victory in the central courtyard, and the auditorium’s use by the Nashville Symphony from 1926-1980 and the world-famous Grand Ole Opry from 1939-1943.

In the 1950s, it served as a frequent stop on the African American Theater Circuit, and brought artists such as Ray Charles, The Five Satins, and Bo Diddley. Later, it hosted performances by Bette Davis, Liberace, Elton John, David Bowie performing as “Ziggy Stardust,” Bette Midler, Billy Joel, the first Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam, Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, The Eagles, Kitty Wells, R.E.M., Lady Gaga, The Dead Weather, Mumford & Sons, and Robert Plant.

War Memorial Auditorium and its campus have served as the site of significant military and political events, such as speeches and/or events by Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Jimmy Carter, as well as Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, the State of Tennessee owns the building, and TPAC manages the auditorium.

Unveiling the design of the historical marker today were Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam; Martha Ingram, charter and current board member for TPAC; Alan Valentine, CEO of the Nashville Symphony; Pete Fisher, VP and GM of the Grand Ole Opry; Patrick McIntyre, Exec. Dir. of the Tennessee Historical Commission; and Commissioner Bob Oglesby, whose department oversees the historic building.

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Eli Young Band Preps For Winter Tour

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Valory Music Co Artist Eli Young Band will headline a winter tour presented by Live Nation, beginning Nov. 11 in Philadelphia.

On select dates, EYB will be joined by special guests LOCASH, LANco, Blackjack Billy, CAM, Dallas Smith, Luke Combs and Kevin Fowler.

With a trio of platinum and multi-platinum #1 hits like “Drunk Last Night,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Crazy Girl” under their belts, their last album 10,000 TOWNS ranked No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart. EYB has been awarded Billboard’s #1 Country Song of the Year, ACM Song of the Year and garnered numerous nominations from GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice Awards.

Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. at www.livenation.com.   Pre-sale for Citi Bank card holders begins in select cities on Tuesday, Sept. 22, HERE.

Tour dates include:

11/11-Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore with LOCASH and LANco
11/12-Westbury, NY @Theatre at Westbury with Blackjack Billy and LANco
11/13-Asbury Park, NJ @The Stone Pony with Blackjack Billy and LANco
11/19-Orlando, FL @ House of Blues with CAM
11/20-Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle with Blackjack Billy and Dallas Smith
11/21-Raleigh, NC  @ The Ritz with Blackjack Billy and Dallas Smith
12/3-Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room with Blackjack Billy and Luke Combs
12/4-Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore with LOCASH and Luke Combs
12/5-St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant with LOCASH and LANco
12/10-Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues with Special Guest and LANco
12/11-San Diego, CA @ House of Blues with Kevin Fowler and LANco
12/12-Anaheim, CA @ House of Blue with Kevin Fowler and LANco
12/30-Pharr, TX @ Pharr Events Center
1/2-San Antonio, TX @ Cowboy’s Dance Hall
1/20-College Station, TX @ Hurricane Harry’s
1/21-Abilene, TX @ Abilene Civic Center
1/29-Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
2/18-Washington, DC @ The Fillmore with Russell Dickerson
2/20-Greensboro, NC @ Cone Denim with Russell Dickerson

IEBA Announces 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees and Honorees

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Clint Black

IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) has announced its 2015 Hall of Fame inductees and achievement honorees to be recognized at the close of its 45th Annual Conference on Oct. 13.

This year, IEBA will induct four-time Grammy winner Pat Benatar and guitarist/songwriter/producer Neil Giraldo. IEBA will also honor Clint Black with a Career Achievement Award and Country Concert in Fort Loramie, Ohio with an Industry Achievement Award.

Patrick Neil

Pictured (L-R): Neil Giraldo and Pat Benetar

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Mike and Mary Jo Barhorst of Country Concert

Nominations for the 2015 IEBA Awards were announced on Sept. 1, and include:

Casino of the Year
Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
Chumash Casino – Santa Ynez, CA
Fallsview Casino Resort – Niagara Falls, ON
Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
Peppermill Wendover – Wendover, NV
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino – Milwaukee, WI

Casino Buyer of the Year
Frank Deal – Choctaw Casino Resort
Laura Ishum – Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Terry Jenkins – Boyd Gaming
Nicci Lehto – Four Winds Entertainment, Inc.
Lori Otelsberg – Signature Entertainment
Joe Soper – Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun

Club Buyer of the Year
Johnny Beach – The Bowery Presents
Tom Loudermilk – Live Nation Inc.
Alan Presley – Kaleidoscope Promotions, Inc.
Chad Rodgers – Doc Roc Productions
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar and Bub City
Jay Wilson – Red Mountain Entertainment

Corporate Buyer of the Year
Steve Einzig – Booking Entertainment
Mark Felix – Drury Design
Scott Gartner – AEG Live
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
Fred Suss – Talent Source
Barry Weisblatt – Whiteleaf Entertainment

Fair of the Year
Great Jones County Fair – Monticello, IA
Kansas State Fair – Hutchinson, KS
Orange County Fair – Costa Mesa, CA
San Diego County Fair – Del Mar, CA
Washington State Fair – Puyallup, WA
Wisconsin State Fair – West Allis, WI

Fair Buyer of the Year
Renee Alexander – Minnesota State Fair
Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions, Inc.
Pat Powelson – Jayson Promotions
Michelle Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
Dave Snowden – Triangle Talent, Inc.
Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events, Inc.

Festival of the Year
Austin City Limits – Austin, TX
Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, AB
Coachella – Indio, CA
Firefly – Dover, DE
Stagecoach – Indio, CA
Watershed – George, WA

Festival Buyer of the Year
Bob Babisch – Milwaukee Summerfest
Amy Corbin – C3 Presents
Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
Anne Hankins – Country Music Concerts
Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
Jonathan Wayland – Integrity Events

International Buyer of the Year
Steve Homer – Live Nation (UK)
Oliver Hoppe – Wizard Promotions (Germany)
Rob Potts – Entertainment Edge (Australia)
Judy Seale – Judy Seale International
Anna Sjölund – Live Nation (Sweden)
Chris York – SJM Concerts Ltd. (UK)

Venue of the Year
Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL
BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
The Forum – Los Angeles, CA
Philips Arena – Atlanta, GA
Talking Stick Resort Arena (formerly US Airways Center) – Phoenix, AZ

Venue Executive of the Year
David Farrar – Santander Arena
Gunnar Fox – PPL Center
Jeff Nickler – BOK Center
Bobby Rossi – Ruth Eckerd Hall
Rena Wasserman – Greek Theatre
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium

Promoter of the Year
Ben Farrell – Varnell Enterprises
Arthur Fogel – Live Nation
Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
Darin Lashinsky – NS2
Louis Messina – Messina Touring Group
Jerry Mickelson – JAM Productions

Talent Agent of the Year
Marc Geiger – WME
Adam Kornfeld – AGI
Jonathan Levine – Paradigm
Brian Manning – CAA
Nick Meinema – UTA
Darin Murphy – CAA
Kevin Neal – WME
Craig Newman – APA

Rookie of the Year
Boone Carter – NS2
Steve Gaches – WME
Michael Owens – BOK Center
Nate Ritches – Morris Higham Management / Dale Morris & Associates
Kylen Sharpe – CAA

Music City Food + Wine Super Sizes Third Year

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Food + Wine finale with Michael McDonald, Sam Moore, Jewel, Kings of Leon and many more.

Food + Wine finale with Michael McDonald, Sam Moore, Jewel, Kings of Leon and many more.

In its third year, the Music City Food + Wine Festival has grown to sizable proportions. Hosted by Kings of Leon, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, chef Jonathan Waxman, and C3 Presents, of which Live Nation recently acquired a controlling stake.

Evening music churned out a few songs from each performer in the theme of soul and R&B songs. Although attendees ran through every wine bottle on the Walk of Fame Park premises before the music started, additional spirit offerings included Patron tequila, Titos vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, and Wild Turkey whiskey.

Backing band, The Long Players, cranked out tunes for Kings of Leon with Ruby Amanfu (“Private Number”) before the songstress stepped out with “It’s Your Thing.” A cloud blew through for only about five minutes, leaving behind some sprinkles to which America’s Got Talent finalist Emily West joked her performance of “I Can’t Stand The Rain,” was a most appropriate selection. Additional performers included Tom Morello, Robert Randolph (“Land of 1000 Dances”), Jamie N Commons (“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”), Hamilton Leithauser (“Walking The Dog”), Anthony Hamilton (“When A Man Loves A Woman”), Jewel (“I Can’t Get Next To You”), Jesse Baylon (“Let’s Stay Together”), Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear (“Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay,” “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”), Andy Hull (“Georgia On My Mind”), Parker Gispert spontaneously joined by chef Carla Hall (“Hold On I’m Comin’”), Michelle Branch (“I Just Want To Make Love To You”), and Michael McDonald joined by Sam Moore for (“Mr. Pitiful,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby”). The whole cast joined for “Soul Man” to close the night by 11 p.m.

Moving this year to the Bicentennial Park lawn, the daytime events consisted mostly of local vendors providing noshes alongside alcohol offerings. Vintners, distilleries, distributors and breweries filled glasses from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sizable crowds were had on Saturday, enjoying DJ Mel who pumped tunes from a center podium. For the first time in the festival’s three year run, the afternoon session turned into a daytime dance party albeit cut short by the time restraint.

Saturday and Sunday's Grand Taste at Nashville's Bicentennial Lawn.

Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Taste at Nashville’s Bicentennial Lawn.

Event sponsor Infiniti and Uber offered complementary rides from the festival’s three events in 2015-model SUVs.

Lunch highlights included: Martins BBQ, Watermark Restaurant, Bajo Sexto Taco, Capitol Grille, City House, Porter Road Butcher, Sinema, Lockeland Table

Dinner highlights included: Aaron Sanchez’ Smoked Tuna Tostada, Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen Dog

Drink highlights included: Silver Oak Cellars, Champagne Taittinger, Santa Christina Winery

Chefs Tim Love (R), Aaron Sanchez (C) and Jonathan Waxman (L).

Chefs Tim Love (R), Aaron Sanchez (C) and Jonathan Waxman (L).

Andrew Zimmern's BBQ near Martin's BBQ daytime setup.

Andrew Zimmern’s BBQ near Martin’s BBQ daytime setup.

Chef Carla Hall spontaneously joins

Chef Carla Hall spontaneously joins Parker Gispert’s cover of “Hold On I’m Comin’”

[Updated]: Blake Shelton To Perform Free Nashville Concert at WMN’s “Pickin’ On The Patio”

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Blake Shelton

[Update]: Additional logistics information has been announced for Blake Shelton‘s upcoming Pickin’ On The Patio performance. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for the concert. Additionally, Music Square East will be closed between Roy Acuff Place and Music Circle N from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

 

[Original post]: Blake Shelton will hold a free concert in Nashville next week, when he performs Wednesday, Sept. 23 as part of Warner Music Nashville’s “Pickin’ On The Patio” series. The concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the roundabout in front of Warner Music Nashville on 16th Ave. S.

Fans will have access to a beer garden – “The Voice” star’s favorite kind of garden – and food trucks. Shelton will also be selling commemorative T-shirts with proceeds going to WMN’s For The Linds Fund, dedicated to wiping out cancer in the memory of former Chicago-based Regional Promotion Manager Lindsay Walleman, who passed away of sarcoma at 28.

Bud Light and Aramark are sponsoring the event. Organizers suggest fans take taxis, Uber and Lyft rides to the concert due to congestion, parking and traffic alterations.

Shelton made the announcement in a series of Twitter posts earlier today.

The entertainer will release a greatest hits album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits on Oct. 23. His first greatest hits album, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton, released in 2010. Shelton will return to the big red chair on NBC’s The Voice on Sept. 21.

House Judiciary Committee To Host Copyright Roundtable Discussion in Nashville

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House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) will take part in the House Judiciary Committee’s listening tour, as part of the Committee’s comprehensive copyright review. The House Judiciary Committee will launch the copyright review listening tour with a roundtable discussion in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Belmont University. The roundtable is expected to include a wide range of professionals from the music industry.

Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers issued the following statement on the upcoming copyright review listening tour.

“America’s copyright industries – movies, television programming, music, books, video games and computer software – and technology sector are vitally important to our national economy. The House Judiciary Committee’s copyright review is focused on determining whether our copyright laws are still working in the digital age to reward creativity and innovation in order to ensure these crucial industries can thrive.

“In the coming weeks the House Judiciary Committee will conduct several roundtable discussions to hear directly from the creators and innovators about the challenges they face in their creative field and what changes are needed to ensure U.S. copyright law keeps pace with technological advances.”